FEATURE
Training and development
Cadetship initiative continues to produce South African seafarers
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ontinuing a National Cadet Programme (NCP) that was launched in 2010, the first intake of 24 cadets were introduced to key maritime stakeholders in Durban at the beginning of February. The NCP, which now falls under the management of the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) is one of several projects aimed at developing the skills needed for successful implementation of Operation Phakisa. “The cadet programme offers practical
training and training berths enabling students to obtain internationally-recognised STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping) qualifications and become globally sought-after seafarers,� says SAIMI project manager Odwa Mtati. The NCP was Initiated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Transport (DOT) as well as the
Top learners prove they are worthy of bursaries
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ransnet National Ports Authority bursary holder, Lungelo Mkhize (17) of Durban, was named the best performing student in the 2015 matric class at the Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon’s Town High School in the Western Cape. He achieved the highest average percentage of 84 percent for all subjects, with five distinctions in Mathematics, Geography, Maritime Economics, Nautical Science and Physical Science. Mkhize originally hails from Clermont and was a learner at Sithengile High School, one of TNPA’s adopted schools, before he was selected to pursue maritime studies for grades 10 to 12 as a boarder at Lawhill which are fully funded by TNPA. He is one of three TNPA bursary holders
who clinched spots in the school’s top 10. The others are Aphiwe Malinga (17) of Durban, who scooped four distinctions in Geography, Maritime Economics, Nautical Science and Physical Science, and Orlando Dwakumba (17) of Durban, who achieved distinctions in Life Orientation and Maritime Economics. TNPA has an ongoing relationship with the centre, which provides industry-focused education for learners to pursue successful careers in the maritime industry, both ashore and at sea. The Lawhill matric class of 2015 also achieved a 100 percent pass rate in the recent National Senior Certificate Examinations. In 2015 the number of learners at the centre who were sponsored by TNPA stood at 10 for matric, three for Grade 11 and six for Grade 10. In 2016 TNPA will be providing bursaries for a total of 15 learners - 9 boys and six girls.  TNPA’s matric bursary holders at Lawhill during 2015, from left to right: Thulani Mahlombe, Orlando Dwakumba, Lungelo Mkhize, Aphiwe Malinga, Ndumiso Mkhize, Ntsidiseng Jama, Tsepang Mhlakoana, Mvelo Khawula, Bongane Mhlakoana, Innocent Jali Orlando Dwakumba also made it into the top 10 at Lawhill, coming in at number 9 among the 2015 matric learners. Aphiwe Malinga scored the third highest at Lawhill Maritime Centre. Lungelo Mhize was the top matric student at Lawhill Maritime Centre during 2015.
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Maritime Review Africa FEBRUARY 2016
Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA). According to SAIMI, the cadet programme has added more than 115 seafaring officers to South Africa’s maritime skills base, with a 90 percent success rate for employment with international shipping lines. The new cadets form part of a corps of more than 140 currently in training. They have completed the first part of their studies at institutions around the country, including Durban University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology and Mangosothu University of Technology. SAIMI has secured a three-year funding grant from the National Skills Fund (NSF) to manage and grow the cadet programme and other maritime skills development initiatives. NSF Executive Officer Mvuyisi Macikama said the cadet programme was “important for bridging the skills gap in the maritime economy. Skills shortages hamper economic growth�. Pre-sea practical training, which includes security training, personal safety, first aid and firefighting, was undertaken at the Grindrod Training Centre in Durban. The practical training and facilitation of training berths continues to be managed by: the South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) in Simon’s Town and Marine Crew Services in Cape Town. With the pre-sea component completed, the cadets will be developing their sea legs on board foreign-going vessels, including time on container vessels, general cargo vessels and tankers. They will be completing the “sea-time� required to qualify as an Officer of the Watch – the first level of the international STCW qualification set by the International Maritime Organisation. Mtati said that although more than a dozen shipping lines were currently offering training berths to South African seafaring cadets, SAIMI would welcome further interest from other shipowners or operators. Qualifications being offered through the National Cadet Programme are:
Deck Cadet Learnerships – Certificate
of Competency as Officer of the Watch (STCW A-II/1). Applicable to foreign going and unlimited tonnage ships.
Engineer Cadet Learnerships – Certif-
icate of Competency as Officer of the Watch (STCW A-III/1). Applicable to foreign going and unlimited horsepower ships. The programme is open to students who have completed the first two semesters of the maritime studies, marine engineering or mechanical engineering diploma course. These studies must be completed at a university of technology, or a suitable TVET college. 